In a pulsating finish at Providence Stadium, Rangpur Riders edged past home side Guyana Amazon Warriors by just eight runs in the second match of the Global Super League 2025, launching their campaign with a statement victory in front of a packed crowd.
Set 163 to win, the Amazon Warriors seemed well poised at several points in their chase, but Rangpur’s bowlers held their nerve under pressure, with Khaled Ahmed and Tabraiz Shamsi delivering clutch spells in the dying overs to deny the hosts a dramatic win.
Earlier, after being sent in to bat, Rangpur posted 162 for 5 in their 20 overs. Soumya Sarkar anchored the innings with a patient 35 off 36, but it was Kyle Mayers’ unbeaten 44 from 31 balls and Iftikhar Ahmed’s rapid 34 off 21 that gave the visitors a late surge. Their partnership powered Rangpur past the 160-mark, giving their bowlers something to defend.
Guyana’s chase began with promise. Johnson Charles blazed his way to 40 off 28 balls, and Moeen Ali looked dangerous with a quick 27 from just 18 deliveries. With 80 runs on the board at the halfway mark and wickets in hand, the Warriors seemed on course for a comfortable win.
But the match took a stunning turn when Tabraiz Shamsi, brought on in the middle overs, tightened the screws with two crucial breakthroughs. His dismissal of the dangerous Azam Khan slowed Guyana’s momentum. Meanwhile, Khaled Ahmed returned for his final spell and ripped through the lower order with a fiery four-wicket haul, including the prized wicket of Sherfane Rutherford in the 17th over.
With 18 needed from the final two overs, the pressure proved too much. Despite some late resistance from Dwaine Pretorius, who fought with a gritty 14 off 13 balls, Guyana lost their last wicket with five balls remaining, finishing on 154.
The win sparked wild celebrations in the Rangpur camp, who defended their total with discipline and nerve.
Match Highlights:
Rangpur Riders 162/5 (20 overs): Mayers 44 (31), Iftikhar 34 (21); Tahir 2–21
Guyana Amazon Warriors 154 all out (19.1 overs): Charles 40 (28), Moeen 27 (18); Khaled 4–36, Shamsi 2–24
With this narrow win, Rangpur pocket their first points of the tournament, while Guyana are left to rue missed chances in what was a match full of twists, tension, and a thrilling finish.